The Most Spectacular Places to Cycle in Maryland

There are plenty of cycling adventures to be had throughout Maryland. From a canal beside the Potoman river, or an urban park in Baltimore, to the coast where wild horses roam the beach, there’s a lot to see from two wheels. Here are some of the best places to hop on a bike.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Nicknamed the “Grand Old Ditch”, this scenic byway was constructed in the 19th century. It is now a hub for outdoor recreational activity, and offers hundreds of miles of biking trails. The path starts in Cumberland and goes to Washington, DC, with a number of notable points of history along the way.

Gunpowder Falls State Park

Gunpowder Falls State Park is one of the largest and most diverse recreational areas in Maryland. Bikers who are looking for short or long rides are sure to find a trail here. Follow the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail for 21 miles of the old Northern Central Railway all the way to the Pennsylvania border and stop at the refurbished train station in Monkton to learn about history of the trail. While here, grab a bite to eat and stop at the nearby bike shop if you need anything.

Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail

Named by National Geographic as one of the “Top 10 Fall Trips in the World”, this beautiful bike trail stretches 159 miles from Cumberland to Pittsburgh. It’s a spectacular trail using tunnels, bridges, and viaducts for a fairly flat journey through the Appalachian mountains, plus the Maryland countryside that passes through a number of small, quaint towns.

Courtesy of GAPTrail

Assateague State Park

This state park just a ride short away from Ocean City is known for its wild horses and pristine beaches, but it also has a number of beautiful trails with views of the water. Visitors can spot a variety of birds when here, and make it a multi-day adventure by camping overnight.

Seneca Creek State Park

Seneca Creek State Park offers over 50 miles of well-maintained trails that run around the scenic Clopper Lake and the surrounding creek. You can stop at various points, including an 1815 mill that has been partially restored, and a schoolhouse built at the end of the Civil War.

The Gwynns Falls Trail

This is the perfect way to explore Baltimore as the 15 mile trail covers a number of different neighborhoods of the city. The scenic ride will also take you through some of the city’s landmarks such as the M&T Bank Stadium and the Inner Harbor waterfront. It’s named after Gwynns Falls, whose course it follows, and also passes through Gwynns Falls Leakin Park.